Criminal Cases We Handle in Los Angeles

70+ Years’ Experience Seeking Justice for the Accused

With more than
70 years of combined criminal law experience, our team knows the criminal justice system is tough. Our attorneys have
the experience, knowledge, courtroom and negotiation skills to handle
all California misdemeanors and felony matters. We focus exclusively on
criminal defense and our main goal is to obtain the best possible results
for our clients. If you were arrested or charged with a crime, you could
face serious – if not life-changing consequences. We believe everyone
should have access to the best possible defense, so contact our Los Angeles
office today to see if we are the right team for you.

Our Philosophy

When facing criminal charges, you may be tempted to give up and simply
plead guilty or accept a plea bargain.
Don't plead guilty even if you think you are guilty until you fully understand what that means.
Talk to one of our knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles criminal
lawyers from Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners to discuss your legal
situation. We are ready to use our decades of legal experience to go to
court and aggressively fight your charges. Call our office to see what
we can do for your case.

Criminal Defense Strategies: Fighting Back

Entrapment is a defense to a crime when the government unlawfully induces a person
to commit a crime. Conduct merely providing a person the opportunity to
perpetuate a crime is not entrapment.

Involuntary Acts suggests the defendant did not
intend to commit a crime because his / her unlawful behavior was involuntary
(e.g. reflex, sleeping, unconsciousness, intoxication).

Mistake of Fact precludes criminal liability for the crime because the defendant made a
key mistake and therefore did not have the mental state (mens rea) required for the crime.

Mistake of Law - Ignorance of the law is generally not a defense. In order for Mistake of
Law to constitute a good defense, the mistake must be one that negates
the specific intent or other mental state that is an element of the crime.

Factual Impossibility asserts the defendant
intended to commit a crime but was unsuccessful because of factual impossibility.
The defendant may have intended to commit murder, but cannot be guilty
if the gun wasn't loaded.

Defense for Felony & Misdemeanor Charges

We zealously represent our clients facing both misdemeanors and felonies.
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is the punishment. A
misdemeanor is a less serious crime punishable by up to no more than a
year in county jail and substantial fines. Some misdemeanor involve no
jail time at all. A felony is considered a serious crime punishable in
state prison by sixteen (16) months or more, including life in prison.
A felony conviction carries collateral consequences such as: loss of the
right to possess a gun; exclusion from jury service; denial of the right
to vote; loss of the right to obtain a professional license; and deportation.

DUI DUI, or driving under the influence, is one of the most commonly charged
crimes in California. A conviction can result in county jail, license
suspension, hefty fines, increased insurance costs and mandatory counseling
or treatment, making it important to involve a skilled DUI lawyer as soon
as possible.

Federal Crimes Often involving federal agencies with considerable resources like the
FBI, DEA and IRS, federal crimes require a particular level of defense
counsel. At Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners, we are skilled and experienced
in handling cases in federal court.

Juvenile Crimes When a minor under the age of 18 is accused of a crime, he or she may
face legal proceedings in the juvenile court system, which operates differently
than state and federal courts. Our firm is experienced in protecting the
rights of our youth in these matters.

Sex Crimes Of all criminal offenses, those of a sexual nature tend to generate considerable
media attention and may have lasting personal and professional consequences
for the accused, not the least of which includes lifetime sex registration.
In cases involving sex crimes our team stands firm in our commitment to
protecting our clients' futures.

Theft Crimes From shoplifting to grand theft auto to burglary, theft crime charges
can have varying impacts on alleged offenders. The best way to approach
such allegations is with a strong defense lawyer who can assert one's
constitutional rights.

Driving Offenses Though sometimes considered minor offenses, driving offenses can have
serious consequences. Some driving offenses, like leaving the scene of
a fatal accident, are felonies that may leave a defendant facing state
prison time. We handle all types of driving offenses for drivers across
Los Angeles.

Violent Crimes Assault, robbery, manslaughter, murder – violent crimes are some
of the most serious offenses a person may be accused of committing. They
require the immediate involvement of a competent criminal lawyer who can
help a defendant avoid maximum penalties.

White Collar Crimes Crimes involving finances and business often fall under the category of
white collar crimes. These may be charged on a state or federal level
and are often highly technical in nature due to complex financial transactions
and the involvement of computers. We are skilled in handling cases of
this kind, from embezzlement to wire fraud and everything in between.

You can also find helpful information on our website regarding
criminal investigations,
appeals,
expungements (clearing your criminal record) and more. Our team can provide criminal
defense counsel at any stage of a case, even before formal charges have
been filed, all the way through post-conviction relief. We serve Los Angeles
and the surrounding areas in Southern California with pride and an unparalleled
commitment to our clients' rights and interests.

We Can Help You Prepare Your Defense

After an arrest, you probably feel overwhelmed and hopeless. When you contact
our firm, a member of our legal team can help you understand your legal
rights and options.

Fill out our online case evaluation form to start your consultation today
or call our office and speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer
for more information.